When I wrote the title of this article, the election had not yet concluded. As midnight neared on the East Coast of the United States, the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, was on the brink of declaring a historic victory.
Thus, I wrote this article without waiting for the election results. In my view, there is an undercurrent that warrants analysis even without awaiting the results. Even if Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, were to win the presidency with last-minute votes—which seems nearly impossible—the number of votes Trump received and his party’s acquisition of seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate should be regarded as a significant success story. After all, Trump entered the race carrying extraordinary baggage.
To start with, he was a politician who had been tried and convicted. Additionally, he still has pending court cases, including serious charges like the Capitol riot and election interference.
Nevertheless, Trump managed to overcome all these obstacles, capturing the support of groups desiring change and dissatisfied with the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Looking back, we can see that the election results were not entirely surprising. Those with a keen eye could see the signs of what was coming.
Economy Influenced Voter Choices
For instance, according to an ABC/Ipsos poll released last Sunday, 74% of American voters believed that “the country is being mismanaged and is headed in the wrong direction.” Additionally, a New York Times survey found that 75% of the public was unhappy with the economic trajectory.
In reality, the economic indicators were not terrible, but perception overshadowed reality. Trump capitalized on this situation, converting the public’s anxiety to his advantage. Exit polls conducted last night revealed that the economy was the most influential factor in voter preferences.
In other words, the American public did not buy into the Democratic Party’s “Democracy is at risk!” narrative. Another point that should not be overlooked in analyzing the US elections is the potency of Trump’s “anti-immigrant” rhetoric.
By emphasizing themes like “illegal immigration” and “public safety failures,” Trump managed to reach a larger audience than anticipated. His black-and-white commercials about “suburbs under attack” proved effective. Although his comments, like those in Springfield, Ohio, suggesting “refugees are eating local residents’ pets,” became fodder for humor, the impact remained.
Trump even managed to sway some Democratic voters on the issue of a “refugee invasion.” Consequently, Harris and other Democratic politicians began to revise their stance on America’s southern border.
In the final pre-election poll, illegal immigration was identified as the second-largest concern among voters, right after the economy. Yesterday’s election marked the second time Trump has defeated female opponents in his three runs for president. This trend indicates American voters’ reluctance to see a female president in the White House.
He Stoked Fears!
Another area where Trump succeeded was in attracting Latino and Black votes with appealing economic promises. Typically, these two groups do not align well with Trump, yet he appears to have won them over with his rhetoric.
Trump’s success also extended to family and transgender issues. The Democrats’ “very relaxed” approach on these topics played into Trump’s hands. In his rallies, Trump frequently highlighted LGBT issues. He fueled families’ fears with sensational, albeit unverified, claims, such as suggesting children were undergoing gender transition surgery at school without parental knowledge. Although no examples have been verified, these statements helped Trump connect with rural voters.
Other factors could also be added to Trump’s achievements. However, as things stand, the situation is clear: Trump has emerged with a strong lead.
So, what else do the election results indicate?
While there is much more to discuss in detail, the first impression is this: as Trump claims the White House, the Republicans are also securing majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This outcome effectively sidelines America’s famous “checks and balances” system. With Congress in the hands of the Republican Party, Trump will enjoy far more freedom in his actions. Most notably, he will have the opportunity to appoint new members to the Supreme Court during his term.
In short, we are entering a new Trump era that is stronger, more determined, and most importantly, lacks any power to restrain him. It would not be an exaggeration to say that “not only America but the world faces a turbulent period ahead.
